We live in the globally connected “flat” world of a 21st Century digital age. Physical distance is no longer a barrier when it comes to learning. And the U.S. education system of 20th Century learning styles resembling a factory assembly line is being phased out. Good riddance!

As our brick and mortar public school system slowly crumbles, from its ashes rises the virtual school.

As a kid, there were times I loathed school. I gave all kinds of explanations for not liking it: “The teacher’s mean.” “The test is stupid.” “The school bus smells.”

But I had no idea my complaints were simply symptoms of an educational blunder
that has gone on for centuries.

When people are no longer capable of starting and carrying on interesting and lively conversations, they become dependent on outside influences to give them something to talk about – movies, video games, newspaper headlines, the weather, accidents, etc. Perhaps this is why shallow gossip so readily abounds.

The end goal of any educational program is to teach children to become confident adults who can use critical thinking for success in life and through their chosen professions. Finding ways to link that learning to real-world experience cuts out a middle step, showing the practical application of concepts.

A solid curriculum is key to a sound education, but learning doesn’t take place just inside the classroom. Studies have shown that experiential learning — either in conjunction with classroom lessons or as part of on-the-job training — can contribute to future success in college or in the workplace.

1. Students can acquire the passion Stanford University looks for in higher education.

“Homeschooled students. . . have consciously chosen and pursued an independent course of study. . . The distinguishing factor is intellectual vitality. These kids have it, and everything they do is responding to it.” Jonathan Reider, PhD, senior associate director of undergraduate admissions at Stanford University for 15 years; Stanford Magazine

Christina took the plunge. She pulled her children out of the system and turned to home school. To do this, she had to beat off the doomsayers who predicted her kids would end-up social misfits. Like Christina, all parents want their children to be safe, happy and well educated. When this is not happening, many take their children’s schooling into their own hands. Indeed, the status of home schooling has gone from practically illegal to mainstream in just a few decades. What prompted such a drastic decision?

“Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.”
Albert Szent-Gyorgyi, author of The Scientist Speculates

In our high tech society the ability to research is vital to success. Yet many schools never teach it and even when they do, they usually overlook the simplest and most primary undercut: something a child must be able to do before he can research. What is it?

These individuals taught me the most important rule of the writing game: to be a writer, you must write. Of course one may dream or ponder, but such actions are preparation. Dreaming is not writing. Pondering is not writing. Putting thoughts down on paper is writing. The only way to be a writer is to write. There is no other way.